Therapeutic pack

ABSTRACT

A therapeutic pack provides effective therapeutic heating or cooling to an area of a body. The therapeutic pack comprises a fabric bag and a plurality of therapeutic modules within the bag. The bag consists of taffeta or a spandex such that the bag drapes. The therapeutic modules are capable of freely moving within the bag relative to one another. The therapeutic modules may include a material that repeatedly provides a prolonged cooling or heating, such as a phase change material.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/610,712, filed on Dec. 14, 2006, which is a continuation-in-partapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/193,778, filed onJul. 12, 2002, now abandoned and a continuation-in-part application ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/389,862, filed on Mar. 14, 2003, nowabandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field relates to therapeutic packs, for example, therapeutic packs,used for cooling or heating an area to be subjected to a therapeutictreatment, such as an injured area of a human body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional therapeutic packs may be used to provide a therapeutictreatment to an area of a living body to be subject to a cold or heattreatment. For example, therapeutic packs may be used to treat sportsrelated injuries, by providing a cooling or heating temperature to theinjured area.

It is believed that U.S. Pat. No. 4,044,773, which is expresslyincorporated herein by reference, refers to a cold therapeutic package,in which water is sealed within an interior of a thin polyurethanebladder. The water is then frozen, resulting in the formation of a thinlayer of ice within the bladder. After being exposed to a deformingforce, such as a rolling or striking force, the layer of ice is dividedinto a plurality of small ice particles. These small ice particles maymove at least substantially freely relative to one another when the coldtherapeutic package is applied to an area to be subjected to a coldtreatment, thereby promoting easier application of the cold package tothe area. However, the thick materials of conventional cold pack bags donot conform readily to the complex, reentrant curves of the human body,because the bags must prevent leakage of water or other cooling medium.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to improve conventionaltherapeutic packs by providing a pack design that promotes the coolingor heating effects of the therapeutic pack and better conforms to anarea to be subjected to a therapeutic treatment.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a therapeuticpack, which is better suited to provide a cooling or heating temperatureto an area to be subjected to a therapeutic treatment.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a therapeuticpack, which does not require a substantial initial deforming force forsubdividing a cooling medium, such as ice, into a plurality of smallerparticles.

To achieve these objects, an exemplary therapeutic pack according to thepresent invention includes a container, also referred to herein as abag, having an interior space and a plurality of therapeutic modulessituated in the interior space of the container, in which thetherapeutic modules move freely, or at least substantially freely,relative to one another without the need for a substantial initialdeforming force.

In this manner, it is believed that the various exemplary therapeuticpacks of the present invention may better treat an injury of a livingbody, for example, a sports related injury of a human body. It is alsobelieved that the therapeutic packs of the present invention provide anadvantageous solution for treating injuries in large scale treatmentcenters, such as hospitals.

One advantage of a fabric bag made of a taffeta or a spandex is that theuser does not feel the initial shock of cold (i.e., freezer shock) evenwithout using a towel or barrier and the pack prevents freezer burn,even if the bag is applied to bare skin directly after removing the bagfrom the freezer. Another advantage is that the bag drapes on the body,covering a larger surface area. Yet another advantage of a spandexfabric is that the stretchable material better conforms to the body,even when the bag is full of therapeutic modules. Still anotheradvantage of a lightweight spandex is that the bag not only conforms andremains in place without slipping but also grips the body part holdingthe bag in place. Also, the fabric does not sweat as plastic surfacesdo.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cut-away view showing a first exemplary therapeutic pack.

FIG. 2 is a cut-away view showing further detail of the temperaturemodules shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing application of an exemplary therapeuticpack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The examples described and the drawings rendered are illustrative andare not to be read as limiting the scope of the invention as it isdefined by the appended claims.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is seen a cut-away view of a firstexemplary therapeutic pack 100 according to the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 1, the therapeutic pack 100 includes a bag 110 having aninterior space 115 and a plurality of therapeutic modules 120 situatedwithin the interior space 115 of the bag 110. For example, the bag 110may include more than 1000 spherical therapeutic modules 120. In onespecific embodiment, each spherical therapeutic module has a diameter ofbetween about 11/32 inches and 13/32 inches and each weighing, forexample, between about 0.4 grams and 0.6 grams. A volume less than onecubic inch, more preferably less than 0.4 cubic inches is preferred foreach module, allowing many modules to conform directly to the bodysurface. The bag 110 may weigh, for example, about 454 grams when filledwith the therapeutic modules 120, depending on the size of the bag andnumber and volume of therapeutic modules within.

The bag 110 may be made of a strong, durable material and should have asuitable thickness, such that the bag 110 conforms to the area to besubjected to a therapeutic treatment. For example, the material of thebag 110 may have a thickness of less than four thousandths of an inch,for example, approximately three and one half thousandths of an inch(i.e., 3½ mil). For example, a highly flexible plastic, a high densityplastic film, such as a high density polyethylene, a polyurethane, afabric such as a nylon taffeta, polyester taffeta, polyester/nylontaffeta and other materials may be used to form bag 110.

It is believed that the use of nylon taffeta in bag 110 is advantageous,since taffeta is less likely to irritate and/or burn the area to besubjected to a therapeutic treatment. It is also believed that taffetaexhibits good conductive properties for conducting the cooling orheating temperature to the area to be subjected to a therapeutictreatment, without causing an ice burn, for example.

Additionally, the bag 110 may include an antimicrobial and/or antifungalagent to prevent infection. For example, this may reduce the chance ofintroducing an infectious organism, if the area to be subjected to atemperature treatment includes an open cut and/or abrasion on a humanbody part. In one embodiment, an antifungal and antimicrobial agentpermeates a polyester taffeta bag.

Furthermore, the bag 110 may be designed in any shape, such as oval,square, rectangular, etc. For example, the bag 110 may include asubstantially rectangular bag dimensioned, for example, about 6½ inchesby 9 inches, having a thickness of about 1¼ inches, when filled withtherapeutic modules 120 and laid flat.

The bag 110 may permanently enclose the therapeutic modules 120 (i.e.,the bag 110 may be a permanently sealed unit) or, as shown in FIG. 1,the bag 110 may include an access apparatus 125, such as a zipper,hook-and-loop tape (e.g. Velcro®), buttons, straps, a twist tie, aslide-lock (e.g. Ziplock®) and/or snaps, operable to permit access tothe interior space 115 of the bag 110. In this manner, the therapeuticmodules 120 may be replaced if necessary.

In one specific embodiment, the bag 110 is a polyester taffeta. In analternative embodiment, the polyester taffeta is lined with a highdensity polyethylene thin film or some other water impermeable lining.Unlike stiffer materials, polyester taffeta drapes, as that term is usedin the fashion industry, meaning that the material easily conforms tothe human form under its weight.

The interior space 115 of the bag 110 between the therapeutic modules120 may remain devoid of any material, or may include, for example, afilling medium 130, as shown in FIG. 1. The filling medium 130 mayinclude, for example, a gas, such as air or dessicated air, a gelatinousmaterial, a material resistant to expansion when heated (e.g. above 20°C.), a material resistant to freezing when cooled (e.g. below 0° C.) ora chemical substance that generates heat or cold by a chemical reactionor a phase change, for example, without the need for an external coolingor heating source, such as a freezer or heater.

It should be noted that the interior space 115 of the bag 110 betweenthe temperature modules 120 may be completely filled with the fillingmedium 130 or, alternatively, may only be partially filled with thefilling medium 130. In this manner, the bag 110 may permit the fillingmedium 130 to expand within the bag 110 while freezing or heating,without rupturing the bag 110. Alternatively, each shell 205, as shownin FIG. 2, may enclose less than its full volume of a therapeutic medium210, allowing for expansion of the therapeutic medium 210.

FIG. 2 shows a cut-away view having greater detail of one embodiment ofthe therapeutic modules 120. The therapeutic module 120 may include ashell 205 and a therapeutic medium 210 situated within an interior space215 of the shell 205. The shell 205 may be any shape, for example,substantially spherical, oval, cubic, irregular, etc. In an alternativeembodiment, the therapeutic module may be a solid therapeutic medium. Inthis alternative, the therapeutic medium 210 is a material that has alarge heat capacity or undergoes a chemical reaction or solid-solidphase change, for example.

The therapeutic modules 120 may be dimensioned, for example, to beapproximately equal in volume or to be two or more different volumes tomore densely fill the bag. In one preferred embodiment, each module 120has a volume less than 0.4 cubic inches. Thus, the therapeutic pack 100conforms to contours of the area to be subjected to a therapeutictreatment, more effectively promoting uniform application of heating orcooling, for example, as well as reducing the likelihood that thetherapeutic pack 100 will slip off the area to be subjected to thetherapeutic treatment. Further, since the individual therapeutic modules120 may be small relative to the bag 110 and move substantially freelyto one another, at least some of the therapeutic modules 120 may come torest in an area of the therapeutic pack 100 adjacent to at least aportion of the area to be subjected to the temperature treatment. Inthis manner, more of the therapeutic modules 120 may individuallycontact the portion of a body needing treatment, thereby promoting amore effective treatment.

It should be noted that, although FIGS. 1-3 show the therapeutic modules120 having approximately equal sizes, the therapeutic modules 120 may beof varying sizes and/or shapes, permitting the therapeutic pack 100 tobetter conform to the contours of the area to be subjected to thetemperature treatment and/or better promote the therapeutic effect ofthe therapeutic pack 100. Furthermore, a volume less than 0.4 cubicinches and/or a diameter of spherical modules less than about 0.5 inchesis preferred, because this allows direct contact of the modules with thearea to be treated.

The module shell 205 may be of any material operable to contain thetherapeutic medium 210, for example, a rigid plastic, a flexibleplastic, a sponge-like material, a composite material, an elastomericmaterial, a non-organic material, an organic material, or a syntheticmaterial may be used. A shell of polyethylene or polypropylene ispreferred for encapsulating phase change materials. Polypropylene ispreferred for phase change materials having a phase transition ofgreater than 20° C.

The therapeutic medium 210 may include any material operable to providea therapeutic treatment to the body such as heat or cold therapy. Forexample, the therapeutic medium 210 may include a liquid, a solid,and/or a gelatinous material. For example, the therapeutic medium 210may be a phase change material, such as water, which providestherapeutic cooling to an area of the body during melting from itsfrozen state to its liquid state. The therapeutic pack 100 may providerepeated therapeutic treatment by refreezing the liquid water, forexample, in a freezer compartment. Water is a convenient phase changematerial, because it undergoes a phase change at 0° C., a temperatureeasily achieved in an ordinary freezer compartment.

Also, water has a large heat of fusion, which provides prolonged coolingof the area of the body undergoing treatment, and water is non-toxic.Thus, water is safe and effective. Other phase change materials areknown that are also safe and effective. For example, PCM are availablehaving a range of phase transition temperatures from −31° C. to 90° C.,such as the materials offered by TEAP Energy and other firms.

In addition to or in lieu of a liquid, the temperature medium 210 mayinclude, for example, a chemical cooling or heating agent operable toprovide the cooling or heating temperature via a chemical reaction,without the need for being externally cooled or heated.

It should be noted that the interior space 215 of the shell 205 may becompletely filled with the temperature medium 210 or, alternatively,only be partially filled with the temperature medium 210. Partiallyfilling the shell 205 with the temperature medium 210 may permit thetemperature medium 210, for example, liquid water, to expand within themodule container 205 while freezing or heating, without rupturing theshell 205.

It should also be noted that, although FIG. 2 shows the shell 205 filledwith the temperature medium 210, the interior space 215 of the modulecontainer 205 may alternatively be filled with air or be devoid of anytemperature medium 210 whatsoever. Alternatively, the temperature 210may be a solid that has the same composition as the shell, such as amaterial with a high heat capacity, creating a solid therapeutic module120.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is seen a diagram showing the applicationof an exemplary therapeutic pack 100 according to the present invention.When applied to an area to be subjected to a cold or heat treatment 305,for example, an injured portion of the human body (e.g., a human knee),the therapeutic modules 120 of the therapeutic pack 100 movesubstantially freely relative to one another, even if the therapeuticpack 100 is applied immediately after being removed from a coolingsource, such as a freezer. In this manner, the therapeutic modules 120conform to the area to be subjected to a temperature treatment 305,without the need for a subdividing deforming force and without the need,for example, to wait for the therapeutic pack 100 to at least partiallythaw.

Further, it is believed that the ability of the therapeutic pack 100 toconform to the area treated 305, helps the therapeutic pack 100 to stayon any area to be treated, for example, the injured portion of the humanbody. In addition, a bag 110 of a material that drapes under the weightof the therapeutic pack 100 itself allows the therapeutic medium to cometo rest adjacent to the entire surface to be treated, includingreentrant curvature on the surface, depending on the size and shape ofeach of the plurality of therapeutic modules 120.

In still another example, a spandex material is used. For example,Lycra,® is a brand name of stretchable fibers used in spandex fabrics inwhich the fiber-forming substance is a long chain synthetic polymercomprised of at least 85 percent of a segmented polyurethane.¹ Forexample, the spandex material may be a blend, such as a 82% nylon and18% spandex tricot material. The blend of nylon spandex tricot allowslengthwise and crosswise stretch in the bag. In addition, the blendallows the bag to conform readily to the complex curves of the humanbody. The blend also allows the bag to absorb less water than a baghaving material made of cotton. Yet another feature of such a bag isthat it is very resistant to runs. ¹ Lycra® is a registered trademark ofInvista.

In one preferred embodiment, an 82% nylon and 18% spandex tricot fabricis selected having a fabric density of about 200 grams per square meter(200 g/m²). This preferred embodiment provides excellent reusability ofthe therapeutic bag through a multitude of freeze/thaw cycles, whileallowing the material to breath and to drape over an area of the body.Furthermore, the feel of the material on the skin when appliedimmediately after removal from a freezer is comfortable, avoiding asensation of freezer shock.

In one embodiment, the module shell is a low density polyethylene.

Alternative combinations and variations of the examples provided willbecome apparent based on this disclosure. It is not possible to providespecific examples for all of the many possible combinations andvariations of the embodiments described, but such combinations andvariations may be claims that eventually issue.

1. A therapeutic pack for providing therapeutic treatment to an area of a body comprising: a fabric bag consisting of a fabric, such that the bag drapes; and a plurality of therapeutic modules; wherein the therapeutic modules comprise a phase change material encapsulated by a module shell of a polyethylene or polypropylene, each of the plurality of therapeutic modules being enclosed within the bag, the therapeutic modules moving freely within the bag such that at least a plurality of the therapeutic modules directly contact the fabric of the bag as the bag drapes on the area of the body.
 2. The therapeutic pack according to claim 1, wherein the bag is made of a nylon taffeta, a polyester taffeta, or a polyester nylon taffeta.
 3. The therapeutic pack according to claim 2, wherein the bag consists of a nylon taffeta.
 4. The therapeutic pack according to claim 1, wherein the bag consists of a spandex.
 5. The therapeutic pack according to claim 4, wherein the bag consists of a spandex tricot.
 6. The therapeutic pack according to claim 5, wherein the spandex tricot is a blend of 82% nylon and 18% spandex tricot.
 7. The therapeutic pack according to claim 6, wherein a density of about 200 grams/square meter for the blend is selected.
 8. The therapeutic pack according to claim 1, wherein the phase change material undergoes a phase transition at a temperature less than 20° C.
 9. The therapeutic pack according to claim 1, wherein the phase change material undergoes a phase transition at a temperature greater than 20° C.
 10. The therapeutic pack according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of therapeutic modules are microwaveable.
 11. The therapeutic pack according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of therapeutic modules are less than one-half inch in diameter.
 12. The therapeutic pack according to claim 1, wherein the bag includes a resealable opening, whereby access to the therapeutic modules is provided.
 13. The therapeutic pack according to claim 1, wherein the module shell is of a polyethylene.
 14. The therapeutic pack according to claim 13, wherein the module shell is of a low density polyethylene.
 15. The therapeutic pack according to claim 1, wherein the module shell has an outer diameter of between about 11/32 inches and 13/32 inches.
 16. The therapeutic pack according to claim 1, further comprising an antifungal agent or an anti-microbial agent incorporated in the fabric of the bag, the module shell, or both thereof.
 17. A therapeutic pack for providing therapeutic treatment to an area of a body comprising: a fabric bag consisting of a fabric, such that the bag drapes; and a plurality of therapeutic modules; wherein the therapeutic modules comprise a phase change material encapsulated by a module shell of a polyethylene or polypropylene, each of the plurality of therapeutic modules being enclosed within the bag, the therapeutic modules moving freely within the bag such that at least a plurality of the therapeutic modules directly contact the fabric of the bag as the bag drapes on the area of the body, wherein the anti-microbial agent is incorporated in the module shell. 